Reflections Cabaret on the move

The current Reflections location on Sackville Street is scheduled to close in September. (TED PRITCHARD / Staff)

Halifax’s popular Reflections Cabaret is relocating to a space on the Salter Street side of the Freemasons’ Hall building.

Cabaret owner Mike Schmid said Thursday planning is well underway for a major overhaul of the space TAO The Adventure Outfitters formerly occupied. Schmid said it will be converted into a showcase city attraction that will add some neighbourhood vitality.

“This a fantastic old building that will be ideal for a club,” he said in an interview. “We’re going to add an upper-level mezzanine and take advantage of the 30-foot ceiling to add some dramatic nightclub lighting.

“The new space is a bit smaller than the current location, but we expect its capacity will be about the same following the renovations.”

The Reflections name will be attached to the new space, which will measure about 5,400 square feet, feature upper and main level bars, and capacity for about 312 people.

A lease agreement was finalized with the owner of the building this week, Schmid said. An application is soon expected to be filed with the province’s alcohol and gaming division for a required transfer of the liquor licence.

Schmid said he has ambitious plans for the new space and estimated the renovation costs will be in the range of $200,000.

“This is going to be the best nightclub in the city.”

Work at the new space will begin in a few weeks. Schmid said he is a bit reluctant to set an opening date for the new club until renovations get underway, but he wants to be open as soon as possible, perhaps sometime in May.

The existing Reflections on Sackville Street is scheduled to close in September to make way for a major redevelopment of the Discovery Centre property that fronts on Barrington Street.

Reflections is celebrating its 17th anniversary this weekend. The cabaret opened in 1996 and Schmid acquired the business in 1999.

A cabaret licence allows Reflections to serve liquor from 11 a.m. until 3:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon until 3:30 a.m. on Sundays.

It also allows live music to be featured four nights per week.

The thick walls of the historic Freemasons’ Hall building, which fronts on Barrington Street and was built in 1924, will provide effective noise suppression when dance music and live entertainment are featured, Schmid said.